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Unisys to Design, Integrate Radio Frequency Identification and License Plate Reader Infrastructure for the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative


Border security effort will cover 39 U.S. land ports of entry

BLUE BELL, Pa., January 28, 2008 – U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), Department of Homeland Security (DHS), awarded Unisys Corporation (NYSE: UIS) a task order to provide information technology in support of the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI), the company announced today. The task order is firm-fixed-price and has one base year and four one-year options, exercisable at the government’s discretion. The value of the base year is $37.2 million. The total value of the award is $62 million, if all option periods are exercised. CBP awarded this task order under Enterprise Gateway for Leading-Edge Technology (EAGLE), DHS’ basic contract for IT consolidation of its component agencies.

 

WHTI is an agreement among the United States, Canada, Mexico and Bermuda, whereby each participating country will issue radio frequency identification (RFID)-enabled passports or other WHTI-compliant documentation for entrance to or departure from the United States. The RFID component stores the traveler’s relevant information. Card readers that Unisys will deploy and manage will quickly communicate that information to CBP, whose systems can confirm the document’s validity and the traveler’s identity.

 

The solution will also capture images of the vehicle and its driver, read license plate information, send the captured data to other CBP systems, and retain that data so that future searches can be performed quickly and easily.

 

The initiative is expected to enhance security and traffic flow at 39 northern and southern U.S. land ports of entry.

 

Unisys will design and implement the solution that reads WHTI-compliant identification credentials and that reads and verifies travelers’ license plates. Unisys will also provide help desk services and operations and maintenance for the solution.

 

Security features integrated, timely – an illustration
A U.S. resident drives to Canada for the day. Upon his return to the United States, he would present his card to a reader, which communicates with CBP. Then, CBP could verify the identity of the traveler and also compare the information to various “watch” lists and other intelligence sources to determine whether the traveler should be allowed entrance, detained and/or questioned or prevented from entering. This enhanced border entry process is intended to verify the identity of WHTI travelers without additional time required at the border crossing point.

 

Unisys border security efforts cover entry points and space between
“The solution Unisys will provide for WHTI is a logical next step in the overall effort to secure the U.S. borders. The SBInet program (phase one of DHS’s Secure Border Initiative), on which Unisys is currently performing as a key subcontractor to Boeing, is designed to help monitor and secure the border between official points of entry. WHTI will cover the entry points themselves. Together, they create a high-tech, comprehensive system designed to enhance security at U.S. borders,” said Greg Baroni, president, Unisys Federal Systems.



About Unisys
Unisys is a worldwide information technology services and solutions company. We provide consulting, systems integration, outsourcing and infrastructure services, combined with powerful enterprise server technology. We specialize in helping clients use information to create efficient, secure business operations that allow them to achieve their business goals. Our consultants and industry experts work with clients to understand their business challenges and create greater visibility into critical linkages throughout their operations. For more information, visit www.unisys.com.

Forward-looking Statements
Any statements contained in this release that are not historical facts are forward-looking statements as defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. All forward-looking statements rely on assumptions and are subject to various risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from expectations. Because agreements with government entities are terminable before the end of their terms and are subject to the availability of appropriated funds, the values in this release are not guaranteed. Additional discussion of factors that could affect Unisys future results is contained in periodic filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

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RELEASE NO.: 0128/8853
Unisys is a registered trademark of Unisys Corporation. All other brands and products referenced herein are acknowledged to be trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective holders.

Contacts

Lisa Meyer, Unisys, 703-439-5887
lisa.meyer@unisys.com

 

Jenny Grendel, Peppercom for Unisys, 212-931-6107
jgrendel@peppercom.com

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